Prince Hall Freemasonry

From Masonic Wiki

Prince Hall Freemasonry (PHA) is a masculine obedienceAncient order of Freemasonry founded in the United States. Although membership is open to men regardless of race, Prince Hall Freemasonry continues to be a predominately African-American Masonic order.

Prince Hall Freemasonry traces its origin to African Lodge #459 of Boston, Massachusetts, chartered by the Grand Lodge of England in 1784. Prince Hall, an original member of African Lodge, became the first Grand Master of the African Grand Lodge of North America in 1791 and served in that capacity until his death in 1807. The Grand Lodge was renamed in Hall's honor in 1827 and became the forerunner of the current PHA system. Largely because of prejudice and racial segregation in the United States, Prince Hall Freemasonry developed separately from its Ancient counterparts.